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Eleanor B. Salmela Obituary – 5/30/09


Eleanor Bernice (Gunderson) Salmela, age 88, of Cokato, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2009, at the Dassel Lakeside Health Care Center

She was born April 3, 1921, to Edwin and Betsy (Olean) Gunderson. Eleanor was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale.

She was united in marriage to Harry Salmela Nov. 12, 1941.

After Harry received his discharge from the US Army in 1945, they started farming, continuing until Harry passed away in 1979.

After his passing, Eleanor moved to Cokato, living there until April 1982, when she had a stroke. She then moved to the Dassel Lakeside Care Center, where she has remained since.

Eleanor was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, rural Cokato, at the time of her death.

In addition to her husband, Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Robert; a brother, Albert (Pete) Gunderson; and three brothers-in-law William Widmark, Andrew Carlson, and Franklin Sandell.

Eleanor is survived by a daughter, Marie (Harlen) Nolan of Annandale; a son, Roland (Kathy) Salmela of Dassel; a daughter-in-law, Pat Salmela (Robert) of Cokato; grandchildren Mark and Dan Nolan, Ross and Holly Salmela, and William, Jeffrey, Scott and Tricia Salmela; great-grandchildren Penny (Adam) Miller, Christina ( Matt) Olson, Derek Nolan, Sophie, Jordan, Ashley, Bryson, Cade, and Macie Salmela; and great-great-grandchildren Isaac and Savannah Miller.

She is further survived by three sisters, Mabel Widmark, Evelyn Carlson, and Betty Sandell; and nieces and nephews.

The funeral was Thursday, June 4 at 2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, north of Cokato, with visitation for one hour prior to the service at the church. The Rev. Mike Nelson officiated, and music was provided by Barb McLeod, and Philip Benson. Interment was at Cokato Finnish Cemetery.

Arrangements were by the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato.

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